Samenvatting
Summary PART I IR: CR
Summary of all readings and 1 or 2 lectures
[Meer zien]Voorbeeld 4 van de 74 pagina's
Voorbeeld 4 van de 74 pagina's
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Voorbeeld van de inhoud
Week 1Lecture 1
Readings 1
Dutkiewicz, J., & Smolenski, J. (2023). Epistemic superimposition: The war in Ukraine
and the poverty of expertise in International Relations theory. Journal of
International Relations and Development, 1-13.
Epistemic superimposition: the war in Ukraine and the
poverty of expertise in international relations theory
Introduction:
The article discusses the analysis of the Russia-Ukraine conflict by adherents of the
"realist" theoretical tradition in international relations. It notes that these scholars, who
claim expertise on the conflict, often rely on theoretical assumptions rather than
empirical evidence. The term "epistemic superimposition" is introduced to describe the
process of prioritizing theoretical assumptions over empirical analysis. The article aims
to challenge and critique the realist scholars' claims and calls for more reflexivity
among scholars in approaching political events.
Background:
● Realist scholars attributed Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine to the West's actions,
aiming to pull Ukraine away from Russia's sphere of influence.
Gap in Engagement with Area Studies:
● Between 2014 and 2022, realists made little effort to engage with area studies or
empirical knowledge of Ukrainian, Russian, or Eastern European politics.
Epistemic Superimposition: (MAIN CONCEPT)
● The concept of "epistemic superimposition" is introduced, referring to the process of
prioritizing theoretical assumptions over empirical evidence in analyzing political
events.
Errors in Realist Scholars' Contributions:
● Realist scholars, despite claiming expertise, made errors in their interventions, relying
on theoretical assumptions rather than empirical knowledge.
● They selectively interpreted empirical evidence to fit their theoretical claims.
, Critique of Realism in the Real World:
● The article critiques how realists apply realism in the real world and urges scholars to
be more reflective in their approaches to politics.
● The focus is on promoting empirical, area-specific research to shape knowledge about
international politics.
Theory without the facts
John Mearsheimer's Realist Theory:
● John Mearsheimer, a prominent realist scholar, attributes Russia's invasion of Ukraine
to the West's policies such as NATO enlargement, EU expansion, and democracy
promotion.
● He employs the analytical framework of offensive realism, which sees aggressive state
behavior as a response to the anarchic nature of the international system.
● According to this theory, great powers act to ensure their survival, defend strategic
interests, and expand power in a zero-sum game.
Mearsheimer's Explanation and Critique:
1999 and 2004 NATO Enlargement:
● Mearsheimer suggests that NATO's enlargement to Eastern European and Baltic
countries threatened Russia, leading to the invasion of Ukraine.
● He argues for the West to abandon plans to westernize Ukraine and instead make it a
neutral buffer.
Epistemic Superimposition and Empirical Claims:
● The article introduces the concept of "epistemic superimposition" to describe the
process of prioritizing theoretical assumptions over empirical evidence.
● Critiques Mearsheimer's reliance on thin or selective deployment of sources,
particularly in his claims about Russia's interference in Ukrainian domestic politics.
Neglect of Ukrainian Domestic Politics:
● Mearsheimer's analysis lacks references to Ukrainian domestic politics or public
opinion.
● The article argues that understanding Russia's actions requires considering historical
factors, Russian coercion, and Ukraine's complex relationship with Russia.
Misinterpretation of NATO Enlargement:
● The article challenges Mearsheimer's assertion that Ukraine was becoming a Western
bulwark against Russia.
● It argues that Russian assertiveness and historical factors played a crucial role in
NATO enlargement.
Alternative Explanation:
● The article proposes an alternative explanation for Russia's invasion based on Russian
leadership's ambitions, displeasure with Ukraine's divergence from Russia, and a
sense of vulnerability.
, Epistemic superimposition
Epistemic Superimposition:
● The term "epistemic superimposition" is introduced to describe an approach in which
theoretical assumptions are imposed on real-world politics without questioning their
applicability.
● Mearsheimer's commentary on Russia and Ukraine is criticized for exhibiting epistemic
superimposition, wherein offensive realism is assumed to be true regardless of
empirical evidence.
Logical Tautology and Prescriptive Nature:
● Mearsheimer's statement that great powers should always act like good offensive
realists is considered a logical tautology. It prescribes a certain behavior based on the
assumption that offensive realism is already true.
● Epistemic superimposition is characterized by overlaying simplified theories onto
unique socio-historical circumstances without verifying their applicability.
Methodological and Epistemological Problem:
● Epistemic superimposition is seen as a methodological error, but it may also point to
deeper flaws in the scholar's epistemological assumptions, leading to the
ideologization of theory.
● Realism, especially mono-causal variants like offensive realism, may be more prone to
epistemic superimposition due to an a priori skew toward unfalsifiability.
Impact on Knowledge Production:
● Scholars recognized as experts, based on their theoretical expertise, may engage in
epistemic superimposition, shaping analyses and prescriptions that influence public or
policy discourse.
● Mearsheimer's ideas, particularly his views on Ukraine, have had a significant impact,
being widely cited, viewed, and promoted in various media and think tanks.
Need for Empirical Engagement:
● The article stresses the importance of rigorous testing of theories based on empirical
evidence. Theories should be tested and adjusted according to the evidence rather
than being assumed to hold a priori.
Expertise and Platform:
● Mearsheimer's expertise in realist international relations theory, rather than Russian or
Ukrainian politics, is highlighted as the basis for his platform and influence in opining
about Russia and Ukraine.
Expertise without a subject
Realist Perspectives on Russia-Ukraine War:
● After Russia's 2014 invasion, realists, including John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt,
blamed NATO and its "institutional outreach" for Russia's aggression.
● Realists' views on the war have been critiqued for their foundational precepts and
empirical basis.
, Defense of Realism in Public Arena:
● Realists have thrust their ideas into the public spotlight, defending realism against
critique and attempting to retain influence.
● The defense of realism in the public arena is seen as an extension of long-standing
efforts to defend it within the academic realm.
Hierarchy in IR Scholarship and Western-Centricity:
● The realist approach creates hierarchies within International Relations (IR) scholarship,
privileging theory over empirical research and relegating non-Western knowledge to
area studies.
● The Western-centric character of IR theorizing is criticized for ignoring Eastern
European knowledge and experience, resembling a colonial production of knowledge.
Epistemic Superimposition and Ideological Nature:
● The term "epistemic superimposition" is connected to realists' tendency to impose
theoretical assumptions without questioning their applicability.
● Realism, especially offensive realism, is suggested to be prone to epistemic
superimposition due to an a priori skew toward unfalsifiability.
Impact on Expertise and Policy Prescriptions:
● Realists' claims of expertise are challenged, focusing on the tension within realist
theory between its descriptive and prescriptive aspects.
● Realism is characterized as a conservative ideology of the exercise of state power, and
claims to expertise in realism are viewed as claims to provide a prescriptive program of
realpolitik.
Circular Logic and Mutual Reinforcement:
● Circular logic is identified in realist analysis, where assumptions about rational leaders
and state behavior reinforce both descriptive and prescriptive aspects.
● The lure of epistemic superimposition is highlighted in the context of realism's circular
reasoning and its claim to offer a universal master key to state behavior.
Conclusion
● The article critiques a methodological error termed "epistemic superimposition,"
focusing on theorists, including John Mearsheimer, treating theoretical claims as a
priori applicable without empirical falsifiability.
● Realist theory is seen as particularly prone to epistemic superimposition due to its
nature, allowing experts to claim expertise in realpolitik and specific regions without
sufficient familiarity.
● Despite efforts by some realist scholars to address empirical errors and simplify
causal stories, the critique highlights the irony that Mearsheimer and Walt
emphasized the centrality of sound empirics to theorizing.
● The modest aim is to encourage scholars to be reflexive about their claims of
expertise, treat theories as falsifiable, value area studies in international relations
scholarship, and prompt editors and media to scrutinize academic claims and seek
regional expertise.
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